THROGGS NECK, N.Y. – On Thursday, Rear Admiral Michael A. Alfultis announced that Kristofer Schnatz '99 has been selected to lead the Maritime Athletics Department effective December 1, 2016.
 
"As an alumnus and former student-athlete, Kristofer has an in-depth understanding and appreciation for Maritime's students and our athletic programs," commented Alfultis. "We are delighted to welcome him back to campus. It's an exciting time to be a Privateer!"
 
Schnatz is the ninth individual to hold the Director of Athletics title at Maritime College since the athletic program's inception in 1945. Schnatz takes over for Chris Monasch, who spent the previous three months as Interim Director of Athletics while the national search took place.

"I am excited to serve as the next Maritime College Director of Athletics," said Schnatz. "I am grateful for the opportunity to come back to the university and athletic program that helped shape the person I am today. I look forward to working with our outstanding student-athletes and coaching staff on campus."
 
As Director of Athletics, Schnatz will oversee the entire department of athletics, intramurals and club sports. More than 400 student-athletes compete on Maritime's 16 varsity programs and three club programs, competing at the NCAA Division III level in the Skyline Conference, Eastern Collegiate Football Conference, Intercollegiate Sailing Association and USA Rowing.
 
Schnatz returns to Maritime College after earning his Bachelor's Degree in Marine Transportation in January of 1999. He also served as an assistant on the basketball coaching staff for the Privateers for the 1998-99 season after a successful playing career for Maritime on the hardwood.
 
He joins the Maritime athletics staff from Indiana University Northwest in Gary, Indiana, where he served as Executive Director of Athletics from October 2012 through November of 2016. While there, Schnatz managed the expansion of the department from three teams to seven and was a driving force behind many of the improvements to game day operations and improvements to the IU Northwest Fitness Center strength and cardio rooms.
 
At Indiana Northwest he was also responsible for overseeing the academic eligibility and compliance of the department's student-athlete population. He also implemented academic improvement programs leading to a program all-time high 3.10 grade point average through the spring 2016 semester.
 
In addition to his administrative duties, Schnatz was also the head basketball coach for the RedHawks and led the team to 23 wins in his two seasons at the helm of the program. As head coach he helped improve the team's academic performance and also the team's retention while developing all phases of the program.
 
From April of 2014 through May of 2016, he also oversaw Indiana Northwest's Health, Physical Education, & Recreation department as director. In that role he administered the course design and managed the instructors within the department.
 
Prior to his arrival at Indiana Northwest, Schnatz spent four months as Director of Athletics at the Fredericksburg Academy in Virginia. Before Virginia, he held several roles a Purdue University North Central as an assistant athletic director, and as the head basketball coach for five seasons in each role.
 
Before getting into athletic administration and collegiate coaching, Schnatz utilized his marine transportation degree as an operations manager and master with the Blue Chip Casino, Hotel and Spa in Michigan City Indiana.
 
In his near 11 years at Blue Chip he managed the marine, maintenance, housekeeping and facility crews aboard the vessel and annually constructed a $6 million departmental operating budget, while governing monthly operations within the budget.
 
Upon his graduation from Maritime, Schnatz began working as a marine analyst for National Imaging & Mapping Agency in Maryland. While there he wrote for Notice to Mariners branch of the Marine Navigation Department, specializing in military and commercial transportation.
 
In addition to his Bachelor's Degree in Marine Transportation from Maritime; Schnatz later went on the receive his Master's Degree in Sports Administration from Valparaiso University in northern Indiana in August of 2005.

Schnatz currently resides in Throggs Neck, N.Y. with his wife, Kristen, and three daughters; Lia, Taylor and Aybriel.